What Can We Learn From COVID: Addressing Critical Knowledge Gaps Between Human and Pet Health

Talking about treatment costs with pet owners can be uncomfortable. For many clients, there is a growing gap in the ability to afford veterinary care, which threatens the sustainability of veterinary practices and exacerbates moral distress for veterinary care teams that are unable to provide pets with needed care. This can result in pets going without care, being surrendered or being euthanized. In this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast, learn how Open Door Veterinary Collective developed and tested a financial triage process that veterinary teams can use to identify clients’ financial needs so they can be matched with a pay-over-time option that helps them afford and accept recommended diagnostic and treatment plans.

Confused about pet insurance? You're not alone—and your clients probably are too. In this podcast, we break down key differences between accident, illness, and wellness policies, demystify deductibles, and highlight what veterinary professionals need to know when talking with pet owners. While recommending specific policies isn't your role, understanding the landscape helps you guide clients with confidence. We also explore how pet insurance stacks up against savings accounts—so you’re ready for the questions pet owners are asking.

Diet plays a role in feline kidney disease, urinary problems such as stones and crystals, feline lower urinary tract disease and gastrointestinal problems such as inflammatory bowel disease. Tune in to this CE episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast to gain insights behind feeding strategies for cats and their species-specific quirks. You’ll learn the key factors in diets that support a cat’s urinary tract health. You’ll also get tips on how to provide informed recommendations for clients regarding feeding their healthy, young, adult cats.

Brushing a dog’s teeth helps prevent dental problems, keeps their breath fresh, and can even reduce the risk of more serious conditions. Easy-peasy, right? Sure, except many dogs don’t love it, which often means it isn’t the most sustainable form of home dental care for pets. Fortunately, we have lots of alternatives today. In this CE edition of the VetFolio Voice podcast, Dr. Cassi hosts Dr. Jan Bellows, who discusses home dental care options, such as water additives, dental wipes and dental chews, and even most importantly, how to talk to clients about these options. You’ll learn about Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC), the independent, nonprofit organization that seeks to promote and improve the oral health of pets. Dr. Bellows explains what it takes for products to be listed on the VOHC website and how it can be used as a resource for finding veterinary dental products that really work.

Tune in to this engaging VetFolio Voice podcast episode with host Dr. Cassi and her guest, Dr. Alison Manchester, to learn about clinically relevant information applicable to dietary management of GI upset, including recent updates—from clinical research to real-life cases—that are commonly seen in practice. The conversation encompasses a review of different dietary strategies, including their potential mechanisms of action. Special attention will be paid to the impact of diet and other interventions on the gut microbiome. You’ll also explore the differences in dietary interventions for dogs and cats and get tips for client communication tactics that help maximize compliance.

Proper bandaging in veterinary medicine is crucial for wound healing and preventing infection. In this VetFolio Voice podcast episode, make sure your technique for applying a bandage promotes healing, prevents infection and is comfortable for your patients. Learn about the journey Brian Goleman, CVT, took to create Brian's Bandages and what's next, plus get his expert insights on bandaging technique, owner compliance and wound management and explore the psychology behind bandage care and the importance of clear communication with pet owners.

By understanding the role of the microbiome and implementing strategies to maintain a healthy gut environment, veterinarians can help their patients live long, healthy lives. In this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast, we review the concept of microbiome development across life stages for pets. Specifically, we’ll explore the critical windows for microbiome development, how the microbiome impacts disease (including canine parvovirus enteritis, feline chronic kidney disease, canine atopic dermatitis, etc.), and how to support microbiome health (including nutrition, fiber supplement, and fecal microbiota transplant). By thinking about microbiome health for our patients, we can help to promote healthspan—the period of life spent in good health, free from chronic diseases and disabilities of aging—for our patients.

Providing easy-to-digest information to a pet owner who may be stressed about their pet's medical care is Dr. Karen Robb Wheeler's passion. Tune into this episode of the VetFolio Voice podcast to learn how Dr. Wheeler creates social media video content aimed at educating pet owners so that veterinary medicine doesn't seem so daunting and discover her “you’ve got this, no sweat” approach to client education.

A collaborative, multiyear study of COVID-19 transmission between humans and their pets aimed to create a framework for monitoring and detecting reverse zoonoses in companion animals. Join Dr. Cassi as she hosts Dr. Marie Kerl and Dr. Jimmy Barr in this fascinating VetFolio Voice podcast episode that explores a visionary approach to addressing a critical knowledge gap in One Health, and how this type of research could be used as a blueprint to respond to future emerging diseases affecting people and their pets.

Workplace culture and intentional leadership are more than just buzzwords. In this VetFolio Voice podcast episode, join Dr. Cassi and Dr. Jennifer Edwards, leadership coach and former veterinary practice owner, for an insightful discussion about the living, breathing entity that is practice culture. Drawing from 26 years of veterinary experience and extensive leadership expertise, Dr. Edwards explores how practice culture isn’t simply imposed from above — it's co-created daily through every team member's actions, mindset and choices. This episode delves deeply into what truly shapes a veterinary practice's culture, from core values and communication styles to leadership philosophies, methodologies and team dynamics. Learn why many leaders struggle with culture creation and discover practical insights about taking responsibility for your role in shaping your practice environment. Whether you're a practice owner, manager or team member, you'll gain valuable perspectives on how to actively contribute to building a thriving practice culture through intentional leadership and collective responsibility. Workplace culture is more than just a buzzword. Listen now to gain perspective on how to actively contribute to your practice’s culture through intentional leadership.